Jiang Zuo Wang looked at Cheng Yu, who was kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, then swept his gaze over the vassal kings and regional commanders standing respectfully with their heads lowered.

A deep sense of unwillingness flashed in his eyes!

They were all surnamed Jiang, all of the royal bloodline, so why was it that Jiang Chen, that good-for-nothing, was the one sitting on the dragon throne, enjoying the reverence of ten thousand people? Why not him, Jiang Yuan?!

He believed his talent was a hundred, a thousand times greater than Jiang Chen's... Why wasn't he the one sitting in that position?!

Tonight, he would wash the entire palace with blood, using the blood of these ministers and members of the imperial clan to pave his way to becoming emperor!

'Jiang Chen, have you seen the true faces of your ministers? How does it feel?'

'Weren't you just high and mighty, declaring that I was "unworthy"?'

'But looking at it now, you're not doing so well as emperor yourself. Not only are the powerful ministers under you disobedient, but each and every one of them is thinking of rebelling.'

'If you don't have the ability to suppress them, then quickly abdicate and make way for someone more capable, lest our Jiang family's imperial seat be snatched away by someone else!'

His tone was one of contemptuous ridicule, utterly devoid of respect.

This was blatant humiliation, slapping Jiang Chen, the emperor, in the face in front of all the court officials!

Immediately, a loyal minister stood forth, rebuking him with furious eyes.

'Impudence!'

'How dare you, you traitorous rebel!'

'Seize this traitor and execute him on the spot!'

Some military generals, whose styles were more impulsive, were even more enraged. They overturned their tables, drew their duty swords, and charged towards Jiang Zuo Wang!

In fact, they had wanted to do this when Jiang Zuo Wang declared that Jiang Chen should abdicate.

But the figure at the head of the table had not spoken, so they dared not overstep their bounds, and could only forcibly suppress their anger, fearing they might ruin His Majesty's plans.

But now, this traitor was becoming increasingly arrogant, and the words he spoke were increasingly taboo. They really couldn't tolerate it any longer!

Faced with the gleam of swords from all directions, Jiang Zuo Wang, Jiang Yuan, remained arrogant, his haughty eyes showing no fear.

'Traitorous rebel? Jiang Chen, that unfilial cur who disregards all moral principles, is more deserving of that title than I am!'

'Aren't you lot the biggest fans of the whole "ruler acts like a ruler, minister acts like a minister" charade? Do you even know what kind of beast it is you're pledging your loyalty to?'

As he said this, a look of disdain appeared on Jiang Zuo Wang's refined and handsome face, and he looked contemptuously at the dragon throne. 'The reason I chose to launch this rebellion tonight is to expose Jiang Chen's despicable true face in front of all the nobles of Great Wei.'

'The enlightened ruler you speak of is actually a villain who defiles his elders!'

'And the Taifei (imperial concubine) you regard as a paragon of noble women is nothing more than a promiscuous, lonely whore!'

'These two villains, taking advantage of the late Emperor's death, colluded with each other in the palace, engaging in illicit affairs and corrupting the atmosphere of the imperial family!'

'How can such shameless beasts be qualified to rule Great Wei?!'

As soon as these words were spoken, the originally noisy hall became so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.

Even the military generals who had been brandishing their swords and approaching Jiang Zuo Wang with murderous intent froze in place, their faces filled with horror.

Everyone knew that if this news was true, it would be the birth of a monumental scandal.

Not only would the late Emperor be shamed, but the imperial family would never be able to hold their heads high again.

Even the Lü family, the Taifei's family, the head of the centuries-old aristocratic families of the imperial capital... would lose all face and be removed from the ranks of the aristocratic families from then on!

And in order to prevent all of this from happening, Lü Taifei was certain that she would definitely become the sacrificial lamb... After tonight, perhaps news of the Taifei's death from illness would spread from the palace!

Neither the imperial family nor the Lü family would tolerate her, a woman branded as a harlot and associated with the current Son of Heaven, continuing to live.

Realizing this, Lü Taifei, who had still been concerned about Jiang Zuo Wang, paled instantly!

Jiang Yuan was taught by her own hand. There was no way he couldn't have foreseen this outcome... Yet he still chose to do so, his purpose being clear: to use others' hands to take her life!

Thinking of this, Lü Taifei felt as if all the blood in her body had been frozen. The reality of being betrayed by the child she had painstakingly raised caused her heart to throb with pain.

Perhaps she had really made a mistake... She shouldn't have placed her unrealistic ambitions on an innocent child.

Perhaps everything today was her retribution!

Just as Lü Taifei was sitting there, disheartened, a pair of scorching hands suddenly gripped hers.

The fiery temperature instantly brought her back to her senses. She turned her head with a complex expression, looking at the figure that made her both resentful and fearful. 'You, you shouldn't...'

'Shh, don't be afraid. Zhen (I, the emperor) won't let his woman get hurt!'

After saying that, Jiang Chen shifted his gaze from Lü Taifei's astonished face, looked down at the ministers, and said without a trace of doubt, 'This rebellious traitor is spouting nonsense, and deserves to be executed!'

'Before entering the palace, Lü Taifei was already known as a talented woman with a widespread reputation. She is virtuous and demure in character, and has maintained her chastity for many years for the late Emperor. She is a model for aristocratic women. How can she be slandered by the mere words of a traitor?'

'Esteemed ministers, Zhen reminds you that speaking ill of the imperial family is a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire clan. If anyone is deceived by Jiang Zuo Wang's lies and says something they shouldn't outside...'

'Then, for the sake of the imperial family's reputation, Zhen can only take drastic measures. Do you understand?'

The seemingly casual words contained an extremely dangerous warning.

They were all people who had been floating in the official sea for many years, and they knew very well what they should and shouldn't do.

Therefore, even though many of the ministers in the front rows saw the Son of Heaven and the Taifei holding hands under the imperial table, they simply pretended that they were blind.

They nodded respectfully, without the slightest objection.

At this moment, Jiang Chen, who had suppressed the ministers with his own strength, turned his gaze back to Jiang Zuo Wang. 'Royal Uncle, if this is all you have, Zhen will be very disappointed.'

'Based on the information Zhen has gathered, you've been preparing for this rebellion for many years. If you don't use your trump card now, Zhen will order the net to be closed. At that time, you'll really have no chance to turn the tables.'

Jiang Chen's words were playful, but his eyes were as cold and deep as ice.

Jiang Zuo Wang's scheme against Lü Taifei had crossed his bottom line.

At this moment, Jiang Chen truly harbored murderous intent towards him, and even had the idea of advancing the plan.

But Jiang Zuo Wang was unaware of all this. He only felt that his carefully laid trap had not achieved the desired effect, and he became increasingly anxious and angry.

He immediately sneered and said, 'Jiang Chen, you're still so arrogant when death is right around the corner!'

'No matter what, I'm still better than a beast like you who occupies his elders... Speaking of which, if my early-deceased imperial brother had a spirit, I wonder what his expression would be if he knew that his favorite concubine was hooking up with you.'

'However, what I can be sure of is that if he knew, he would definitely not have passed the throne to a beast like you!'

After saying that, Jiang Zuo Wang, without waiting for the others to retort, shouted loudly towards the upper part of the hall, 'What are you waiting for? Come out!'

'Today is the day this dog emperor meets his end! As for the ministers in this hall, kill them all as well!'